Fence construction device and method

ABSTRACT

A fence construction device includes a platform including an upper surface and a lower surface. Wheels are coupled to the lower surface of the platform. An auger drill is coupled to an upper surface of the platform. The auger drill is moveable up and down along a first vertical axis. A post drive is coupled to an upper surface of the platform and moveable up and down along a second vertical axis. A spool is rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the platform and is rotatable about a third vertical axis. The post drive is disposed in between the auger drill and the spool. The auger drill and the post drive are aligned along a horizontal axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fences and, more particularly, to a device and method for building fences.

A fence is a structure that encloses an area, typically outdoors, and is usually constructed from posts that are connected by boards, wire, rails or netting. Current methods of building fences are labor intensive and time consuming.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved device and method for building fences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a fence construction device comprises: a platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; wheels coupled to the lower surface of the platform; an auger drill coupled to an upper surface of the platform and moveable up and down along a first vertical axis; a post drive coupled to an upper surface of the platform and moveable up and down along a second vertical axis; and a spool rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the platform and rotatable about a third vertical axis, wherein the post drive is disposed in between the auger drill and the spool, and at least the auger drill and the post drive are aligned along a horizontal axis.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing a fence comprises: providing a trailer comprising: a platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; wheels coupled to the lower surface of the platform; an auger drill coupled to the platform; a post drive coupled to the platform; and a spool rotatably coupled to the platform and comprising fence wire; drilling a hole in the ground via the auger drill; pulling the trailer in a first direction until the post drive is disposed over the hole; driving a fence post into the hole via the post drive; pulling the trailer in the first direction until the fence wire is disposed in front of the fence post; and coupling the fence wire to the fence post.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention includes a fence construction device. The fence construction device includes a platform 10 including an upper surface and a lower surface. Wheels 11 are coupled to the lower surface of the platform 10. An auger drill 28 is coupled to the platform 10. The auger drill 28 is moveable up and down along a first vertical axis. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a second auger drill 14. A post drive 17 is coupled to the platform 10 and moveable up and down along a second vertical axis to drive a fence post 24 into the ground. A spool 34 is rotatably coupled to the platform 10 and is rotatable about a third vertical axis to dispense wire fence 22. The post drive 17 is disposed in between the auger drill 28 and the spool 24. The auger drill 28 and the post drive 17 are aligned along a horizontal axis. The present invention is placed along a fence line 32 for fence installation.

The platform 10 and the wheels 11 of the present invention form a trailer. In such embodiments, the front end of the trailer may include a hitch, which can couple to a vehicle. The auger drill 28 may be disposed at the front end of the trailer, the post drive 17 may be disposed at a central portion of the trailer, and the spool 24 may be coupled to a rear end of the trailer by a support 20. Further, each of the auger drill 28, the post drive 17, and the spool 34 may be coupled to the upper surface of the platform 10 at the first side. The auger drill 28 may hang over the first side and is positioned to drill into the ground. Each of the auger drill 28, post drive 17, and spool 34 may align along the horizontal axis to align with the fence line 32. A fence wire clamp 36 may be coupled to the platform 11 and adds tension to the fence wire 22. A camera 38 may be directed towards the post drive 17 to monitor the system.

The auger drill 28 and the post drive 17 may be manually operated or automatic. In certain embodiments, the present invention may be automatic by utilizing a hydraulic system. Hydraulic control valves 16 are coupled to the upper surface of the platform 10. An auger hydraulic drive 12 is coupled to the auger drill 28 and a post hydraulic drive 18 is coupled to the post drive 17. The hydraulic driver 12 and the post hydraulic drive 18 are fluidly connected to the hydraulic control valves 16 by hose lines 26. A user may simply activate a switch to turn on the auger hydraulic drive 12 and the post hydraulic drive 18 to automatically drive the system. Referring to FIG. 2, a post drive 42 may be coupled to a support 40. The support 40 may be rotatably coupled to the platform 10 at a base 44. The support 40 may include a U-shape having a first end coupled to the base 44 and the second end hanging off of the side of the platform 10. The post drive 42 is coupled to the second end. The support 40 may be rotated up to 180 degrees or more to reposition the post drive 42 on one side of the platform 10 or an opposing side of the platform 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method of constructing a fence may include the following steps. Provide the trailer described above and position the trailer along the fence line. Engage the auger drill to drill a hole in the ground. Pull the trailer in a first direction along the fence line until the post drive is disposed over the hole. Drive a fence post into the hole via the post drive. Pull the trailer in the first direction along the fence line until the fence wire is disposed in front of the fence post. Couple the fence wire to the fence post. Continue to perform the same steps until the fence is complete.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence construction device comprising: a platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; wheels coupled to the lower surface of the platform; an auger drill coupled to the platform and moveable up and down along a first vertical axis; a post drive coupled to the platform and moveable up and down along a second vertical axis; and a spool rotatably coupled to the platform and rotatable about a third vertical axis, wherein the post drive is disposed in between the auger drill and the spool, and at least the auger drill and the post drive are aligned along a horizontal axis.
 2. The fence construction device of claim 1, wherein the auger drill is coupled to and hangs over a first side of the platform.
 3. The fence construction device of claim 1, wherein the spool is aligned along the horizontal axis.
 4. The fence construction device of claim 1, further comprising hydraulic control valves coupled to the platform.
 5. The fence construction device of claim 1, further comprising an auger hydraulic drive coupled to the auger and a post hydraulic drive coupled to the post drive, wherein the hydraulic driver and the post hydraulic drive are fluidly connected to the hydraulic control valves by hose lines.
 6. The fence construction device of claim 1, further comprising a fence wire clamp, wherein a fence spool feeds to a fence post by the fence wire clamp.
 7. A method of constructing a fence comprising: providing a trailer comprising: a platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; wheels coupled to the lower surface of the platform; an auger drill coupled to the platform; a post drive coupled to the platform; and a spool rotatably coupled to the platform and comprising fence wire; drilling a hole in the ground via the auger drill; pulling the trailer along a fence line until the post drive is disposed over the hole; driving a fence post into the hole via the post drive; pulling the trailer along the fence line until the fence wire is disposed in front of the fence post; and coupling the fence wire to the fence post.
 8. The fence construction device of claim 1, further comprising hydraulic control valves coupled to the platform.
 9. The fence construction device of claim 1, further comprising an auger hydraulic drive coupled to the auger and a post hydraulic drive coupled to the post drive, wherein the hydraulic driver and the post hydraulic drive are fluidly connected to the hydraulic control valves by hose lines.
 10. The fence construction device of claim 1, further comprising a fence wire clamp, wherein a fence spool feeds to the fence post by the fence wire clamp. 